Former Reading FC players joined volunteers, staff, guide dogs and more at Reading Association for the Blind’s (RAB) Christmas party last week (December 14).

Held at Walford Hall in Carey Street, the charity enjoyed getting into the festive spirit with George Friel, David Woolford, Mick Gooding and Richard Forte, all members of Reading FC Former Players Association.

The association elected RAB as their charity of the year for 2018, and donated a further £750 to the charity, making a total of £1,250 for the year.

Tony Lawton, a season ticket holder from Caversham, was delighted to meet with the members.

He said: “I so enjoy attending Reading FC matches, and I get great pleasure from being at the match with friends, and listening to the game and feeling the atmosphere.”

Bob Bristow, chairman of RAB, said: “On behalf of everyone in the charity, a very big thank you to the Former Players Association for their support over the past year.”

Community fundraiser Marion Haynes added: “Our Christmas party was made complete with Christmas carols sung by Mary, who volunteered her time to sing to everyone.”

The Association provides services through the Day Centre and by its visits to visually-impaired people in the community.

Local fundraising is a large part of helping to keep services maintained and added to. Any community group or individual who wishes to help in any way is asked to contact Marion Haynes on 0118 957 2960 or at funder1@raftb.org.